Wallabies vs Springboks Preview: What You Need to Know

The Springboks head to Adelaide for their first match of two against the Wallabies in Australia, which presents an important and interesting period for South Africa, essentially one year out from the Rugby World Cup.

The Springboks’ often bulletproof backline has been hit with some disruptions lately, with injuries to Cheslin Kolbe and Jessie Kriel, not to mention Kurt-Lee Arendse’s red card suspension; but the Boks have brought in Warrick Gelant onto the wing, which is a superb replacement. Gelant brings a little more than simple wing-play, giving South Africa another playmaking option and with his combination with the likes of Damian Willemse, we should see Gelant being more involved in the midfield action.

The other notable change is Faf de Klerk, who returns after he completed his return-to-play protocol after his head-knock against the All Blacks, and takes over from Jaden Hendrikse. De Klerk’s kicking game and sweeping (and feisty) defence should bode well against an Australia side that likes to play with width and speed.

Nienaber also made three changes to the replacements bench, which features a split of five forwards and three backs, where Hendrikse takes over from Herschel Jantjies. At the same time, Elton Jantjies will provide flyhalf cover and Frans Steyn additional cover at the back. Without Willie le Roux and Jasper Wiese, it does leave off some spark from the bench, but with Steyn’s dynamic abilities and Jantjies’ tactical kicking, there is enough experience and calm to close out a game if need be, if the Boks can maintain a lead into the final acts of the game.

And that’s always the question: can the Springboks come out firing against a wounded Australian side desperate to make an impact after a hammering against Argentina.

After Australia’s musical chairs with the flyhalf role, following James O’Connor’s omission from the squad and Quade Cooper’s Achilles injury, Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio gets another crack in the number 10 jersey. It’ll be Lolesio’s first game against the Springboks, which should pose an interesting challenge for the 22-year-old, coming up against an experienced Bok midfield.

Reece Hodge, who will earn his 58th cap, returns to the starting line-up at fullback with Tom Wright has shifted back to the right wing alongside Marika Koroibete on the other edge. Queensland inside centre Hunter Paisami is another who returns to the starting team, reigniting his midfield combination with the fleet-footed Len Ikitau who will wear the number 13 jersey.

Interestingly, Wallaby coach Dave Rennie has opted for a 6-2 split, with Waratahs hooker David Porecki also recalled after overcoming injury to be named as a finisher, with the experienced duo of Scott Sio and Taniela Tupou the other replacement front rowers. Scrumhalf Tate McDermott and winger Andrew Kellaway also return, which brings some notable speed and attacking threat from the Wallaby bench — something that the Bok defence will need to be wary of late in the game.

The encounter should prove to be an interesting one between two sides coming off the back of respective losses, but looking at an admittedly young and exuberant Wallaby side that’s yet to settle, versus a Springbok side that is borderline set in stone and simply doing some fine tuning, it’s hard to think the Australians will come away with a win, even with their historical home ground advantage on their side.

Teams:

Wallabies – 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Warrick Gelant, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.

Time:

The game kicks off on Saturday, 27th August, at 07:30 SA (SAST) time.